Mathematical symbols like the equal sign (=), not equal sign (≠), and approximately equal sign (≈) are essential tools for understanding and communicating math. These symbols have specific names and meanings, making them useful in conversations and written English.
This article covers key areas including a detailed mathematical symbols list, plus images and examples of these math symbols. This structured approach will make it easier for you to learn and remember these important tools.
Mathematical Symbols List
👉 Related lesson: Mathematics vocabulary
👉 Practice more: Math Symbols Worksheets
Basic Math Symbols (Arithmetic)
- + (Addition) – plus
- − (Subtraction) – minus
- × (Multiplication) – times
- ÷ (Division) – divided by
- = (Equality) – equals
- ± (Plus-minus)
- % (Percent)
Algebra Symbols
- ≠ (Not equal)
- ≈ (Approximately equal)
- <, > (Less than / Greater than)
- ≤, ≥ (Less/Greater than or equal to)
- √ (Square root)
Geometry Symbols
- ∠ (Angle)
- ⊥ (Perpendicular)
- Δ (Delta / Triangle)
- π (Pi)
- ⊾ (Right angle)
Set Theory & Logic Symbols
- ∈ (Element of)
- ∩ (Intersection)
- ∪ (Union)
- ∅ (Empty set)
- ∀ (For all)
- ∃ (Exists)
Calculus Symbols
- ∫ (Integral)
- Σ (Summation)
- ∞ (Infinity)
Math Symbols with IPA, Images and Examples
| Vocabulary | IPA (US) | Image | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addition | /əˈdɪʃən/ |  |
I have two apples, plus three more, so now I have five apples (2 + 3 = 5). |
| Subtraction | /səbˈtrækʃən/ |  |
Five minus one equals four (5 − 1 = 4). |
| Multiplication | /ˌmʌltɪplɪˈkeɪʃən/ |  |
If you multiply 5 by 4, the result is 20 (4 × 5 = 20). |
| Division | /dɪˈvɪʒən/ |  |
If you divide 10 by 2, the result is 5 (10 ÷ 2 = 5). |
| Plus-minus | /ˈplʌs ˈmaɪnəs/ |  |
Six plus or minus three equals nine or three (6 ± 3 = 9 or 3). |
| Strict inequality (>) | /ˈstrɪkt ˌɪnɪˈkwɑːləti/ |  |
If x is strictly greater than 3, we write x > 3. |
| Strict inequality (<) | /ˈstrɪkt ˌɪnɪˈkwɑːləti/ |  |
If y is strictly less than 10, we write y < 10. |
| Equality | /iˈkwɑːləti/ |  |
If the sum of 2 and 3 is equal to 5, we write 2 + 3 = 5. |
| Not equal sign | /nɑːt ˈiːkwəl/ |  |
If y is not equal to 0, we can write y ≠ 0. |
| Approximately equal | /əˈprɑːksɪmətli ˈiːkwəl/ |  |
Pi is approximately equal to 3.14 (π ≈ 3.14). |
| Congruence | /ˈkɑːŋɡruəns/ |  |
If triangle ABC is congruent to triangle DEF, we write ABC ≅ DEF. |
| Infinity | /ɪnˈfɪnəti/ |  |
The set of natural numbers goes on to infinity. |
| Inequality (≥) | /ˌɪnɪˈkwɑːləti/ |  |
If x is greater than or equal to 5, we write x ≥ 5. |
| Inequality (≤) | /ˌɪnɪˈkwɑːləti/ |  |
If y is less than or equal to 10, we write y ≤ 10. |
| Material equivalence | /məˈtɪriəl ɪˈkwɪvələns/ |  |
If a ⇔ b, we say that a is equivalent to b. |
| Material implication | /məˈtɪriəl ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃən/ |  |
If x > 5 ⇒ x + 2 > 7, this implies that x + 2 is greater than 7. |
| Theta | /ˈθiːtə/ |  |
The symbol θ is commonly used to represent an angle in trigonometry. |
| Empty set | /ˈɛmpti sɛt/ |  |
If a set has no elements, we call it the empty set (∅). |
| Triangle / Delta | /ˈtraɪˌæŋɡəl/ ; /ˈdɛltə/ |  |
In math and science, Δ often means “change,” for example, Δx means a change in x. |
| For all | /fɔːr ɔːl/ |  |
For all positive integers n, the statement holds true. |
| Pi constant | /paɪ/ |  |
The number π is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. |
| Integral | /ˈɪntɪɡrəl/ |  |
The integral represents the area under a curve in calculus. |
| Intersection | /ˌɪntərˈsɛkʃən/ |  |
If A ∩ B = {3, 4}, those elements are in both sets. |
| Union | /ˈjuːnjən/ |  |
The union A ∪ B contains elements in A or B. |
| Factorial | /fækˈtɔːriəl/ |  |
Five factorial is 5! = 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 120. |
| Therefore | /ˈðerfɔːr/ |  |
The sides are equal; therefore, the triangle is isosceles. |
| Square root | /skwer ruːt/ |  |
The square root of 9 is 3 (√9 = 3). |
| Perpendicular | /ˌpɜːrpənˈdɪkjələr/ |  |
The diagonals of a square are perpendicular to each other. |
| Exists | /ɪɡˈzɪsts/ |  |
There exists a real number x such that x² − 4 = 0 (x = 2 or x = −2). |
| Percent | /pərˈsɛnt/ |  |
Fifteen percent of 80 is 12 (15% × 80 = 12). |
| Line | /laɪn/ |  |
The line through points A and B is written as line AB. |
| Line segment | /laɪn ˈsɛɡmənt/ |  |
The segment from A to B is written as segment AB. |
| Ray | /reɪ/ |  |
A ray starts at one point and extends forever in one direction. |
| Right angle | /raɪt ˈæŋɡəl/ |  |
Each corner of a square is a right angle. |
| Angle | /ˈæŋɡəl/ |  |
The angle at B can be written as ∠ABC. |
| Summation | /sʌˈmeɪʃən/ |  |
The symbol Σ is used to show a sum, for example: Σi=13 i = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6. |
| Braces (grouping) | /ˈbreɪsɪz/ |  |
We can write the set as {2, 4, 6, 8, 10} using braces. |
| Brackets | /ˈbrækɪts/ |  |
We can write 3[4 + 2] to show multiplication with grouping. |
| Parentheses (grouping) | /pəˈrɛnθəsiz/ |  |
In 4 + (2 × 3), we calculate inside the parentheses first. |
Learn more about punctuation and grouping symbols:
Parentheses () and Brackets []
How to Read Mathematical Expressions in English
Fractions
- 1/2 → one half
- 1/4 → one quarter
- 2/3 → two thirds
- 3/5 → three fifths
Powers and Exponents
- x² → x squared
- x³ → x cubed
- x⁵ → x to the power of five
Roots
- √x → square root of x
- ∛x → cube root of x
How to Type Math Symbols on Keyboard
Windows (Alt Codes)
| Symbol | Alt Code |
|---|---|
| ± | Alt + 0177 |
| ≥ | Alt + 242 |
| ≤ | Alt + 243 |
| π | Alt + 227 |
Mac Keyboard Shortcuts
| Symbol | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| π | Option + P |
| √ | Option + V |
| ≈ | Option + X |
Copy & Paste Math Symbols
+, −, ×, ÷, =, ≠, ≈, ≤, ≥, √, π, ∞, ∑, ∫
Common Mistakes in Math English
- x vs ×:
In algebra, x is a variable, not a multiplication sign.
Use 2x instead of 2 × x. - Decimal separators:
American English uses 1.5, while some countries use 1,5. - Reading zero:
Zero can be read as zero, oh, nought, or nil depending on context.
Frequently Asked Questions about Math Symbols
What is the symbol for “approximately equal”?
The symbol is ≈. It is used when two values are close but not exactly the same.
How do you read the symbol ∞?
It is read as infinity.
What is the difference between ≤ and <?
≤ means “less than or equal to,” while < strictly means “less than.”
Mathematical Symbols List | Video
Learn useful math symbols with American English pronunciation.
Math symbols Visual Vocabulary Practice (B2)
Q1
Question 1: Look at the image. Type the correct English word.
Q2
Question 2: Listen to the word and choose the correct image.
Q3
Question 3: Which image matches the word "Slash"?
Q4
Question 4: Is this "Pi"?
Q5
Question 5: What is the correct English word for this image?
Practice “Math symbols” with pictures, audio & games
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